Darkness in Downton

There is an unspoken pact between an audience and a film or TV programme: the programme promises to deliver particular satisfactions: warm, family comedy without crudity (The Good Life) or action, exotic locations, gadgets, Aston Martins, beautiful women, elegant tailoring, resourcefulness and a certain wry nonchalance (Bond, James Bond). We come to any artistic event with expectations about the nature of the content and the pleasures it will deliver. As such, the furore over the rape scene in Downton Abbey is not a debate about whether terrible things happened in country estates in the 1920s, or about the 9 o’clock watershed, or about ghastly things being depicted on TV in general; it is about the betrayal of a trust, the breaking of a promise. Et tu Brute?  Downton may have explored disease and demise, killed off its male lead, one unborn heir, and its most appealing young woman. It may have sought to stave off sickly sweetness with the constant presence of at least one malignant canker in the body politic. But to allow the sickening rape of its purest, most generous, honey-hearted character was a stride too far. Like a stream of expletives in a wedding speech, we felt soiled, assaulted.  How could you? I asked for bread and you gave me a stone, for fish and you handed me a serpent. I may have purposed in my heart not to set before my eyes any vile thing (Psalm 101:3), but you put it there anyway. The pact has been broken.  Downton was like a weekly visit to a favourite uncle – and then the uncle attacked us. On the surface this looks like yet another example of the despairing search for ratings – and well it might be. However, at another level it may betray a deeper problem, a broader crisis in the collective artistic imagination. Do we even know how to make goodness attractive, interesting, inspiring anymore in any sustained way?  I have already forgiven Downton, though it will never be quite the same between us. Still, I am hoping that the writer will have found a way to steer us through the minefield of anger, anguish, shame, vengeance, bitterness that he has laid, and offer us a picture of how a community can help one another to find healing after such a cataclysmic event. Redemption is indeed glorious but, oh, that it were not so terribly necessary. Mark GreeneLICC Executive Director

Does the Bible apply to me?

So we kicked off the new series in Philippians on Sunday.

Was amazing to think that Paul was so full of joy, even though he was imprisoned for his faith.

Abraham Lincoln said, "people are generally as happy as they make up their mind to be".
I think this has some truth.

Certainly our response to situations makes such a difference, even if we can't change the circumstances.

Anyway, the bit of my sermon I wanted to comment on was about exegesis and hermeneutics.
Did you get what I was trying to say?

I was basically making the point that the Bible is always addressing a particular situation.
So even though it's God's divine Word, and does speak directly into our lives today -
We have to work hard to "correctly handle" the word (as Paul says in 2 Tim 2:15).

I used the example of receiving a phone bill through your door.
And you open it and it says you owe £300. And you panic thinking "Oh no, that's terrible news"
But then you breathe a sigh of relief as you realise it's actually addressed to your neighbour and was delivered to you by accident!
It's still true, and tells you something about the sender, and the recipient.
But as you understand the context it is addressing, then it helps you know how to understand it properly.

This is the same with the Bible.
Take the 7 churches in Revelation, for example.
Each of the messages was read by each of the 7 churches.
However, the church at Ephesus wasn't meant to read what Jesus says to the church at Smyrna, as it if was speaking to their situation.
The message to them was different, even though all of it was God's word, and all of it is useful for "teaching, correcting, rebuking and training in righteousness" (2 Tim 3:16).

So our task in "correctly handling" the word of truth is to first find out what the message meant to the original readers (technically called 'exegesis') - and then to seek to interpret it for us ('hermeneutics').

So over to you...

- Is it ok to open a page of the Bible at random to see what God wants to say to you that day?
- Have you had experiences when this has happened to you?
- Is it ok to read a passage completely out of context, but for God to speak through it anyway?
- What does Paul mean when he tells Timothy to be a 'work man... who can correctly handle the word of truth?'
- What problems in church life, or in church history, can be put down to different ways of reading scripture (e.g. debates about women in ministry, homosexuality, sunday trading etc)

Have a great week!


You can listen again to all sermons at...
www.coshambaptist.org/sermons

Mission-focused Church - 1 Thessalonians

Brilliant to welcome John Risbridger with us on Sunday. His message can be listened to oniline
Audio of John R - here are his slides with a few notes...

Are we as a church like a BMW, left on the forecourt of a petrol station, constantly being filled up , but never being taken for a drive?

For the church to be the church it has to be a mission-focused church

“I will bless you…and you will be a blessing…all people on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen 12:2-3)

The foundations of a mission-focused church (1-6) •

• Authentic spiritual life (2-3)
• Authentic spiritual power (4-5a)
• Authentic spiritual leadership (5b-6)

The impact of a mission focused church (7-10)

• The impact of gospel words (8)
• The impact of transformed lives   (9-10)

“I will bless you…and you will be a blessing…all people on earth will be blessed through you”  (Gen 12:2-3)

PRAYER SPACE!

We're really excited by this year's prayer space - especially our challenge of doing it 24/7!

Here's some info on what prayer spaces are, for those that have never experienced it, and what we will be doing for this year.......

Every year at Easter we hold a prayer space – this is about meeting with God in prayer in new ways. The two main components are:

CREATIVITY – using our whole bodies, senses, artistic abilities

INCLUSIVITY – the space allows access for all abilities/disabilities/ages to engage with God

Basically, part of our church will be transformed into a place where people can experience God in prayer – it’s designed to be a multi-sensory experience, with lots of aids for prayer and reflection but it's also possible to find a quiet corner if you prefer just sitting in God's presence.

THIS YEAR -24/7 PRAYER

We will be joining with other churches in a City wide initiative to pray 24/7 during Holy week.

THEME

This year, the space will be themed for reflection and prayer in WORSHIP, HEALING, MISSION. We are looking to link these three areas with the ‘tree’ imagery contained in the Bible – so the worship room will encourage participants to think about getting their roots down into God’s soil. In the Healing section we will think about how trees are a place for shelter, and God’s love and power shelters us – we will also tie in the imagery that Jesus died on a tree for us. Finally, the Mission room will look to engage people in thinking how they can bear fruit and plant seeds for change where God has placed them.

WHEN?

Mon 25 March 9am to Easter Sunday 6am!

VOLUNTEER

We need lots of help staffing the space - people who will commit to praying in the space and people on duty at reception - please consider getting involved we need all the help we can get! See previous post on what it involves and contact Sam Twine to book in: samantha.twine88@gmail.com . She can also be contacted by phone (weekdays - outside of 8am-5pm): 07719 644 456

To see previous prayer spaces have a look at:

Drawings from Nicki during the Crossing Over Series Part 2

Drawings from Nicki during the Crossing Over Series Part 1

Blessing Jar

It is still not too late to begin a blessing jar! Get a jar - fill it with records of how you or your loved ones have been blessed... at end of year - open it and be oh so thankful!

Crossing the line

Last Sunday whilst speaking on Joshua 7, I thought more about what it means to transgress, or to 'cross the line'.

Within the service I thought about the idea that the line for many of us is like a cliff edge, that we really don't want to fall over. But thankfully as we travel down the road there is usually a barrier to stop us falling, and that barrier is usually a few feet from the drop.

With the comfort and knowledge of the barrier it is tempting to travel as close to the barrier as possible. But the problem with this practice is that just one stumble across the barrier and down we go... how much better would it be to seek to travel in the middle of the road... giving ourselves a barrier before the barrier. This means that if I wobble or stumble, I am still safely well away from actually falling or crossing the line or transgressing.

Let's take an example. Having an affair would be the transgression. Jesus suggests that desiring an affair is also over the line. So that is the cliff face. The barrier might be choosing to spend long periods of time on my own with members of the opposite sex. But the sensible place to travel might be further away from this barrier... perhaps, not spending any social time on my own with a member of the opposite sex...

But what about when we have to spend time with someone. For example, one friend, was travelling to a conference, 2 hours away, with a younger, attractive, female colleague. He was now cycling much closer to the barrier than he would have liked to. But, in his wisdom, he told a friend of this situation he would be in before it happened. In making himself accountable to someone else, his friend effectively made the barrier much higher whilst he was travelling close to it.

Jesus often went to the houses or attractive (and provocative women) but we never read that the disciples were surprised that he was there. They might have been shocked, but they knew where he was, he was always open with them, he made sure the barrier was high. When did the disciples not know where Jesus was? When did Jesus allow the barrier to go low? When he went off to pray and spend time with his Father!

But what about if we are not cycling, or under our own power and we are travelling with someone else? Another friend was telling me about this situation this week. He described how whilst watching an 'innocent' programme, the victims of the murderer were all attractive young women and the programme showed pictures of these women when alive. My friend felt he was being taken closer to the barrier, and this was not his choice. He did have a choice though. He could keep watching and allow the programme and his mind to wander wherever the programme makers wanted to take him, or he could get out of the car! This is what he did, he got up and turned off the TV. He made a choice to get back into the middle of the road. When Potiphar's wife tried to drive Joseph close to the barrier (and hopefully way past the barrier!), he got out of the car - he ran away... and didn't stop running until he was well and truly back in the safety of the middle of the road.

Do you have friends who you can be accountable to? Those who will build the barrier when necessary, those who will cycle down the hill with you, encouraging and supporting each other to walk in the middle of the road. I have been meeting with a few friends to chat and pray each Wednesday morning for a few years - but now it is time to step it up a mark... please be my fellow middle road travelers. Allow me to build up the barriers for you, as you do the same for me.

Please don't read this wrong! Middle road living is not boring, it is the place where the most risky and bold things can be attempted for God...For why do I want to cross the line? Or even get close to crossing the line?

Update from Hannah

Thank you for all your prayers and support! It's been really great here in Bradford at Life Church (Abundant Life). 

(Here's a picture of a view over Bradford Hannah posted on facebook with the caption "Beautiful sky! What an incredible God we have!")

Praise Jesus for all the amazing relationships I've made! It's been great to see friendships with the academy students, colleagues and church attendees grow. My role has been very much 'in the walls'. The only outreach I've done is being a smiling server of the dinner at Alpha. So, I sometimes feel as if I'm not doing a lot of Kingdom Growing stuff, however, I am learning the 'behind the scenes of Kingdom growing stuff'. I've seen how a larger church organises and leads their services so that they outreach to non-Christian attendees and disciple Jesus followers. I'm seeing a lot of how a full time worship co-ordinator works and organises their volunteers. I'm learning how a large turn out rehearsal is organised and led.

I am learning a lot of things I didn't think I'd learn. For example, I was put in charge of organising Life Church' relationship with CCLI which I had never heard before (its a copyright organisation for the songs we sing in our events and services). I also was given the task to research the Churches around the UK in the larger cities where Life Church could promote their academy, but the Churches had to be in the Evangelical Alliance. I didn't even know there was an EA lol!

I learnt the Nashville Number System. Oh my life! If you're a musician, make me teach you it or look it up, it's amazing!!!! It's about chord patterns and numbers and other short cut musical stuff!

The house I'm staying in is lush! It's very much free in terms of not having to spend time with others living in the house, there are 4 of us and they are all older and working (not students which was what I was told) but that's ok, better in fact because I then have time for myself to rest my voice and to rest. I have been to all the events and services where they're teaching from Gods word so I have gained some incredible truths and insights about Jesus! It's been amazing as Gods been speaking loud and clear through the speakers.

On Sunday I'll be leading worship in a Prison. Next week I have the opportunity to work behind the scenes at some of the Bands recording. Say no more. Also, in the last week of my time here, I am going to be going into 4 schools teaching them about Solvent Abuse and promoting life!

Thank The Lord for his blessings! Especially the odd lay in!!

40 images of Lent - Days 1-10

Day 1

In a room scented by the smell of sawn timber, a man hears a voice in his inner ear calling him

it is time - 

your time, and mine

enough of the mending and making and shaping of wood

time to put aside the tools

the sharp nails...

can wait

2

While the village still slept, he set his face to the low morning light and followed this beautiful voice

calling him

leading him

drawing him

into wilderness

Day 3

He did not look back to the comfort of home, but walked on...

Into the desert - the place of suffering and desolation, where each rock hid its own danger

every stone could strike at the heel

he walked onwards

alone.

4

As he walked he left something of himself behind

the skin of civilisation was being burnt away by the hot sun

driven away by the wild animals

but in the rhythm of every step was the music of this voice - singing to his soul

it's your time... and mine.

5

After a time, the desert seemed so big, and he - so small

a panic rose in him

it clutched him like a hand at his throat

Who am I?

What am I?

What terrible road lies before me?

Father, my body is weak

I am a drop of water

On a rock

Under the hot desert sun

Soon I will be gone

Still he walked

Still he followed

that voice. 

 6

Dust devils plucked specks from the sand and spat them at his face

Walk on my son

this is your time... and mine.

 7

He followed the voice into dark canyons carved by raging streams now long dry

and he was grateful to leave behind the dark places

to climb towards the light.

8

And from a high place he watched in wonder as the sun sank into desert sea

he watched as it stained the sand like wine spreading on a table

like blood.

9

As evening fell he looked for a place to rest

the dry desert skies sucked back the warmth from the ground as he lay down his head

and the night creatures were set loose

hungry and wild.

A weak morning light filtered into the ravine where he slept and he woke

that restlessness was there still

gnawing at him

calling him on

now is your time... and mine

now is your time... and mine.

Prayer Space - seeking people to help and pray!

Over the past three years CBC has created a ‘prayer space’ during holy week – a place to experience time with God, retreat from the world and explore creative and artistic ways of praying.

This year we want to work more closely with other churches in the area so we are taking part in a 24/7 prayer initiative that is being run city wide. CBC will be one of three centres for prayer, the other two being St Jude’s and Oasis church.

This is a fantastic opportunity to cover the week in prayer, and see God do amazing things among us.

The prayer space will be open from Monday 25 March at 9am through to Easter Sunday 6am. Since the prayer space will be open much longer than in previous years we will need many more people to "staff" it. We are looking for people for:

RECEPTION DUTY

At various times we will need people present to allow people access to the building and sign people in.

PRAYER DUTY

Because it’s 24/7 prayer, we don’t just need people to staff the space, but people who will commit to praying in the space in hourly slots. 

During daytime hours (9am-10pm) this doesn’t mean you are booking the slot for yourself – other people may join you during your session, but whether people are in the space with you or not, you are committing to making this a place for continual prayer. Of course, if you are keen you can opt to pray for more than one slot!

During night time hours (10pm-9am) only people that have booked in may use the space. During these hours, for safety reasons, we will need a minimum of 2 people present.

However the space doesn’t have to be limited two people - whole groups can take an hour (or block of hours!). Small groups, prayer groups, friendship groups – any group from Knit and Natter to the football team can agree to steward the space. For instance, as a group, you may decide on a time that suits everyone and agree to steward the space in a 5 hour slot. Not all of you would need to be present for the 5 hours, as long as you have agreed who you will pass the baton of prayer onto.

If you are interested in booking into the space as a group or as individuals, either on prayer duty or reception duty, you can sign up in the foyer on Sunday, or contact Sam Twine: samantha.twine88@gmail.com

The Prayer Space is arriving and this year it is 24/7

Planning has started for the Prayer Space. We are really excited that this year it will be open from 9am on Monday 25 March through to 6am on Easter Sunday.

This blog will have all the updates as the Prayer Space takes shape...